Fungus comes in many forms. You might see it as mold on your bread or even as a mushroom. One way you don’t want to see fungus is on your body. One such way that a fungal infection can occur on your body is with Athlete’s Foot. This condition affects the skin and can spread to different locations on the body, so it’s extremely important to treat it immediately.
Why do I Have a Fungal Infection?
Fungus grows in climates that are warm, dark, and damp. This makes places like a gym locker room, public pool, or even the inside of your shoe the perfect place for it to grow and multiply. This type of fungus is also very spreadable from person to person, so if you go to a place like that and don’t wear protective footwear you put yourself at a greater risk of contracting a fungus. Athlete’s Foot, or tinea pedis, is caused by an infection to the top layer of the skin.
Some common symptoms that people experience may include burning, itchiness, and scaling. You could even end up with blisters on your feet. If left untreated, the infection can move from your feet to other parts of your body. This is probably the last thing you want to deal with, so make sure you protect your feet and treat this condition at the first sign.
Treating Athlete’s Foot
Fortunately, treatment is relatively simply. You can usually stop or slow the growth with over-the-counter creams that can be found in any drugstore. If these creams don’t work your doctor can prescribe stronger creams or oral medication. Oral medications are only prescribed as a last resort because they can sometimes have unwanted side effects. It’s very important that you follow your doctor’s orders when it comes to taking your prescribed medication. Sometimes your symptoms will disappear after a few days of your course, but they can return if you stop taking your medication too soon.
Prevention is Key
The best way to “treat” a fungal infection is, of course, to prevent it in the first place. It isn’t too hard to do this, but there are a few precautions you must take. One very important thing to remember is to keep your feet and clean and dry. This means if your feet sweat excessively you should bring along an extra pair of socks in case you need to change the pair you’re wearing. You should wash your feet every day to get rid of any existing bacteria.
Remember to always allow your shoes at least 24 hours to dry out before wearing them again. It’s a good idea to have a few pairs to cycle through. If you are particularly sweaty you could even add an antifungal powder to the inside of your shoes to dry them out more quickly.
People who spend a lot of time in public locker rooms should invest in a pair of shower shoes. This will decrease your risk of picking up an infection that could be lurking in the corners of the shower. By following these tips you should be able to remain athlete’s foot free.
Getting Help from the Professionals
If you have more questions about treating or preventing athlete’s foot call Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ.
